Customer Reviews

Giving it All Away: The Doris Buffett Story

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Award-winning newspaper reporter and columnist Michael Zitz (who has known Doris Buffett since 1992) presents Giving It All Away: The Doris Buffett Story, the biography of a truly extraordinary millionaire and philanthropist. Doris Buffett faced much misfortune in her life - emotional abuse from her (possibly bipolar) mother, a series of terrible marriages, the near-loss of her home after the 1987 stock market crash, two deadly encounters with cancer, and even estrangement from her own children. Yet the difficulties she faced cultivated her own empathy for others, as evidenced by the $100 million of her own money that she donated - largely to individual people in dire trouble due to no fault of their own. Often she would call people personally, while trying to decide upon the best way to help them. At age 82, she set upon the goal of giving away her entire fortune with purpose and worth to aid those most in need. The true story of a remarkable resilient, noble, and principled woman, Giving It All Away is highly recommended.

I have to say that I largely found "Giving" riveting and that I finished it in 2 days. While I've never met Ms. Buffett, I've only heard the best things about her, and I've admired her philanthropy for some years now. Having been without a place to live decades ago myself, I was shocked that she had almost landed in the situation far more recently. To have recovered from that and to have begun giving her money away so soon thereafter is even more astonishing. I wish Ms. Buffett's ideas would rub off on others; I, for one, am trying--on a FAR smaller scale.

This book is a riveting account of her life and how she decided to give her fortune all away to benefit others and in the process make the last check she writes bounce! We are priviledged and our community has benefited enormously that she has chosen Fredericksburg, Virginia as her home. Her personal story of learning to deal with her Mother's emotional abuse of her as a child, her families legacy of mental illness, and how she has turned it all around to help others is very inspiring. I wish all communities had their own Sunshine Lady as the world would be a much better place!

This is definitely an inspiring book. As a result of reading this book, I have a huge amount of respect for Doris Buffett, particularly regarding her caring for those truly in need and her willingness to give of her time, advice, and money to help all sorts of downtrodden people. Her large monetary gifts for prisoners to earn college degrees floored me, and I only understood why that was actually a phenomenal idea after reading the beautiful commencement speech delivered by a prisoner at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. I loved hearing the stories of how Doris has helped all sorts of people, including abused women, mentally ill people, and even the sick who are overwhelmed with medical bills.

We need more Dorises in this world, and I'm not talking about rich ladies here. She is an extraordinary example of a person who models the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Not many people have millions of dollars to give away, but we all have something we can share, even if it's just a little of our time and money.

I would have rated the book higher except that I think the story should have been condensed to avoid a lot of repeated ideas. Once in a while, I was a little confused about what the author was trying to say. Overlooking those things, I hope many people will read this book and be inspired to a life of greater philanthropy.

I really enjoyed this book. Doris is a dynamic, engaging and authentic person with an amazing sense of humor. Her voice comes through loud and clear throughout the book. Perhaps she'll become known as the first retail philanthropist. While I already knew a lot of her story, this really filled in the gaps. She's an amazing woman.

Doris Buffett's story is that of a philanthropic alchemist who turned personal pain into joy, both for herself and the thousands of individuals she has helped. It's living proof that money can buy happiness, if your happiness comes from helping others. I've never before heard of a system that worked from the bottom up: helping individuals who, through no fault of their own, were faced with terrible problems--nor of a woman who has personally involved herself in the lives of the people she's helped, as opposed to giving money to big foundation. As her brother Warren says, she is a "retail" philanthopist instead of a wholesale one. It's hard not to fall in love with this woman after reading Michael Zitz's revealing biography. Doris comes across as a down to earth Mother Teresa in sweatpants, and every bit as admirable.

Booked entitld: "Giving It All Away".

Doris Buffet's philanthropy concept is admirable and makes sense giving her money away to deserving persons who ultimately improve their lives and contribute to society. Too often the large percentae of the moeey we give to
charity goes for administrative costs. Her book was somewhat interesting but poorly
writen in my opinion. I would recommend rather than invest in the book send the money to Doris who will see that it goes to the most deserving.

I just went to the mailbox and was thrilled to see that Ms. Buffett had sent me a copy of her new biography. Obviously since I just got the book I have not read it. However, I can tell you from personal experience that Doris Buffett gives away far more than just her money, she gives her heart as well. Her generosity, and more than that, her friendship has meant the world to me for the several years that we have known each other. I truly believe that God loaned the world an angel when He gave us Doris Buffett. Most people who read this biography can't give financially or materially to the degree that Doris Buffett does; but we can all give something or do something to help make one person's life a little better. May the story of Doris Buffett inspire us all to do just that. Ms. Buffett, if by chance you read this, I will be sending you a "Thank You" card tomorrow. I have not heard from you in some time. I know you are a busy lady. I hope all is well with you. I love you. ---David J. Stynchcombe

This book everyone should have to read it, maybe a requirement for high school. It tells us that we can't do things by ourselves and that we should always pay it forward.

I give the book four stars because she is a remarkable women. Her work is an inspiration to be better in my own life and five to those around me. It is not the most poetic read. Just the facts powerful, honest, and a testimonial that our purpose in life can become clearer when we least expect it. Thank you for inspiring me and so many others. The world is a better place because you have lived in it.